Decentred Design
Decentred Design
From singular entities to interconnected networks, forget traditional idea of the "centre" and embrace the dynamic interplay among all human and non-human to design in a complex world
From singular entities to interconnected networks, forget traditional idea of the "centre" and embrace the dynamic interplay among all human and non-human to design in a complex world
What is it?
What is it?
Decentred Design is a design approach that shifts the focus from a singular human user to a network of relationships humans, non-humans, environments, and systems. It challenges the traditional notion of the designer as the central authority by promoting a collaborative process where multiple stakeholders, such as communities and ecosystems play active roles in shaping outcomes.
At the core, Decentred Design urges for the repositioning of the designers who are influenced by their cultural, social, and ecological contexts. In doing so, the process becomes more inclusive and just by actively seeking diverse knowledge and perspectives.
Decentred Design is a design approach that shifts the focus from a singular human user to a network of relationships humans, non-humans, environments, and systems. It challenges the traditional notion of the designer as the central authority by promoting a collaborative process where multiple stakeholders, such as communities and ecosystems play active roles in shaping outcomes.
At the core, Decentred Design urges for the repositioning of the designers who are influenced by their cultural, social, and ecological contexts. In doing so, the process becomes more inclusive and just by actively seeking diverse knowledge and perspectives.
Why Decentred Design?
Why Decentred Design?
Decentred Design invokes practitioners to include marginalised groups, non-humans, and ecosystems into the design process. It draws influences from radical participatory design, indigenous knowledge, and political ecology to shift the focus to interdependence and sustainability.
Decentred design also pushes back on reinforcing existing power imbalance in the design process. In Decentred Design, designers act more as facilitators or partners rather than problem solvers. By decentring the designer or "the user," the approach aims to redistribute decision making power to marginalised groups and non-humans.
Decentred Design invokes practitioners to include marginalised groups, non-humans, and ecosystems into the design process. It draws influences from radical participatory design, indigenous knowledge, and political ecology to shift the focus to interdependence and sustainability.
Decentred design also pushes back on reinforcing existing power imbalance in the design process. In Decentred Design, designers act more as facilitators or partners rather than problem solvers. By decentring the designer or "the user," the approach aims to redistribute decision making power to marginalised groups and non-humans.
Core principles and mindset shifts
Core principles and mindset shifts
Actively seek new actants
Agency is not reserved to humans. Drawing from Actor-Network Theory, designers need to actively seek for and recognise the influences of non-human entities like materials, infrastructure, algorithms, or animals in design.
Agency is not reserved to humans. Drawing from Actor-Network Theory, designers need to actively seek for and recognise the influences of non-human entities like materials, infrastructure, algorithms, or animals in design.
Reposition the designer
Instead of seeing the designer as a problem-solving expert, designers in Decentred Design are facilitators, listeners, observers, and participants. The goal of Decentred Design isn't to control, but to steward the processes where many voices can shape the outcome.
Instead of seeing the designer as a problem-solving expert, designers in Decentred Design are facilitators, listeners, observers, and participants. The goal of Decentred Design isn't to control, but to steward the processes where many voices can shape the outcome.
Design for interconnectedness
No design exists in a confinement. It is always a part of larger web of systems such as labour chain, energy system, and cultural values. Rather than designing isolated solutions, we should focus on relationships. How does a design shift behaviours, redistribute resources, or reinforce certain systems?
No design exists in a confinement. It is always a part of larger web of systems such as labour chain, energy system, and cultural values. Rather than designing isolated solutions, we should focus on relationships. How does a design shift behaviours, redistribute resources, or reinforce certain systems?
How to get started
How to get started
Actively seek new actants
More diverse humans
Broaden your perspective by inclusively defining the target audience. To disrupt the repeating cycle, embrace diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, values, and viewpoints.
Non-humans
Design is shaped by non-human elements, from landscapes to digital files, influencing spatial and temporal contexts. Acknowledging these actants empowers designers to anticipate impacts and recognise the value beyond monetary considerations.
The design process
Work with the design process, perceive it not as a rigid structure but as a dynamic entity with its own movement, entwined in ever-shifting temporal and local circumstances. Observe, recognise, and partner with the design process to enable it to evolve purposefully.
Actively seek new actants
More diverse humans
Broaden your perspective by inclusively defining the target audience. To disrupt the repeating cycle, embrace diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, values, and viewpoints.
Non-humans
Design is shaped by non-human elements, from landscapes to digital files, influencing spatial and temporal contexts. Acknowledging these actants empowers designers to anticipate impacts and recognise the value beyond monetary considerations.
The design process
Work with the design process, perceive it not as a rigid structure but as a dynamic entity with its own movement, entwined in ever-shifting temporal and local circumstances. Observe, recognise, and partner with the design process to enable it to evolve purposefully.
Actively seek new actants
More diverse humans
Broaden your perspective by inclusively defining the target audience. To disrupt the repeating cycle, embrace diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, values, and viewpoints.
Non-humans
Design is shaped by non-human elements, from landscapes to digital files, influencing spatial and temporal contexts. Acknowledging these actants empowers designers to anticipate impacts and recognise the value beyond monetary considerations.
The design process
Work with the design process, perceive it not as a rigid structure but as a dynamic entity with its own movement, entwined in ever-shifting temporal and local circumstances. Observe, recognise, and partner with the design process to enable it to evolve purposefully.
Reposition the designer
Change the power dynamics
Imagine scenarios where the main stakeholders are not humans, or what it would be like to design for a completely marginalised group. Question and rebalance power distribution and ensure that non-humans actively participate and influence design decisions.
Non-humans
Actively listen to or observe the needs and viewpoints of all actants. Use tools like empathy mapping and journey mapping to identify patterns of pain points. Try to understand the needs, values and desires of actants as various as possible.
Participatory design
Develop systems that offer chances throughout the design process for every actant, human and non-human, to assume the role of a designer. Try employing methods like decision matrices that account for non-human's agency to ensure non-human actants are also active participants.
Reposition "The Designer"
Change the power dynamics
Imagine scenarios where the main stakeholders are not humans, or what it would be like to design for a completely marginalised group. Question and rebalance power distribution and ensure that non-humans actively participate and influence design decisions.
Non-humans
Actively listen to or observe the needs and viewpoints of all actants. Use tools like empathy mapping and journey mapping to identify patterns of pain points. Try to understand the needs, values and desires of actants as various as possible.
Participatory design
Develop systems that offer chances throughout the design process for every actant, human and non-human, to assume the role of a designer. Try employing methods like decision matrices that account for non-human's agency to ensure non-human actants are also active participants.
Reposition the designer
Change the power dynamics
Imagine scenarios where the main stakeholders are not humans, or what it would be like to design for a completely marginalised group. Question and rebalance power distribution and ensure that non-humans actively participate and influence design decisions.
Non-humans
Actively listen to or observe the needs and viewpoints of all actants. Use tools like empathy mapping and journey mapping to identify patterns of pain points. Try to understand the needs, values and desires of actants as various as possible.
Participatory design
Develop systems that offer chances throughout the design process for every actant, human and non-human, to assume the role of a designer. Try employing methods like decision matrices that account for non-human's agency to ensure non-human actants are also active participants.
Design for interconnectedness
Relationships
Recognise that actants exist within interconnected networks that extend beyond immediate boundaries. Acknowledge the interdependence of these relationships to estimate the impact your design may have on them.
Agency and disruption
Realise that each actant possesses agency, capable of disrupting the system when its needs go unmet. Design with the understanding that all actants have their own influence.
Ecosystem
Understand that digital or physical products exists in context. Files, for example, rely on various elements, such as storage, encryption, and networks. Recognise the co-dependency and coexistence of such actant with humans within these interactive patterns.
Design for interconnectedness
Relationships
Recognise that actants exist within interconnected networks that extend beyond immediate boundaries. Acknowledge the interdependence of these relationships to estimate the impact your design may have on them.
Agency and disruption
Realise that each actant possesses agency, capable of disrupting the system when its needs go unmet. Design with the understanding that all actants have their own influence.
Ecosystem
Understand that digital or physical products exists in context. Files, for example, rely on various elements, such as storage, encryption, and networks. Recognise the co-dependency and coexistence of such actant with humans within these interactive patterns.
Design for interconnectedness
Relationships
Recognise that actants exist within interconnected networks that extend beyond immediate boundaries. Acknowledge the interdependence of these relationships to estimate the impact your design may have on them.
Agency and disruption
Realise that each actant possesses agency, capable of disrupting the system when its needs go unmet. Design with the understanding that all actants have their own influence.
Ecosystem
Understand that digital or physical products exists in context. Files, for example, rely on various elements, such as storage, encryption, and networks. Recognise the co-dependency and coexistence of such actant with humans within these interactive patterns.
Further reading
Further reading
HOW TO CONDUCT AN ETHNOGRAPHY?
HOW TO CONDUCT AN ETHNOGRAPHY?
HOW TO CONDUCT AN ETHNOGRAPHY?
by Freddie Sukprasong
by Freddie Sukprasong
by Iohanna Nicenboim, Doenja Oogjes, Heidi Biggs & Seowoo Nam
by Iohanna Nicenboim, Doenja Oogjes, Heidi Biggs & Seowoo Nam
by Victor Udoewa
by Victor Udoewa
Have experience with this method?
Have experience with this method?
We welcome contributions from practitioners, researchers, and educators who’ve worked with this method in practice. Help expand our collective knowledge by sharing your perspective.
We welcome contributions from practitioners, researchers, and educators who’ve worked with this method in practice. Help expand our collective knowledge by sharing your perspective.
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Contact
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